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Take chances. Abandon all the rules. Ditch the recipe. Color outside the lines.

Just Jess

Some Stuff About Me:

~Ever since I was little I have had an obsession with Robin Hood. I remember the librarian at school would get frustrated with me because it was the only book I'd ever check out. Now I own 7 different Robin Hood movies, each of which I've seen about 10 times.

~The most girly thing about me is probably my love for painting my nails. Seriously, I probably have way more nail polish than any human could ever need.

~I like gauged ears and beanies and the the beautiful story that tattoos can tell. Differentness is gorgeously messy and I'm drawn to it.

~I believe that any day can be made better by coffee and sour gummy worms.

~I'm an all in person. I like your or I don't, there's not really any in between, but rest assured you always know where I stand. I won't say anything behind your back that I wouldn't say to your face. (Unless it's that I think you're sexy because sometimes that can get awkward.)

~I use to think the "perfect best friend" was another one of those lies that Hollywood tells until I met mine and she taught me how to believe in impossible things

-I think spearmint gum is one of the worst ideas mankind has ever had. Second only to York peppermint patties. Chocolate and mint? Just no.

~I'm much better on paper than in real life, sometimes I just get really excited and blurt out everything that's in my head which sometimes sounds like eloquence but more often sounds like incompetence.

-If coffee didn't exist my only friends would probably be flying monkeys or those evil minions from Despicable Me 2.

-I believe, deep in the depths of my being, that God is good. Even when the world is so not, even when people are so wretched, even when bad things happen, and even when I don't understand Him.

~I come from a long line of preachers going all the way back
to a circuit riding preacher named Brad Hays. I was raised, as I like to call it, “Ultra-Baptist.” (yeah, I know, don't hold it against me.)

~I grew up in a small town about 30 miles south of Dallas,
Texas. I graduated from a small Christian school where both of my parents
taught. I also graduated from a small
Christian college in Brownwood, Texas, with a degree in Exercise and Sports
Science.

~As I grew up, I found emptiness in a religion of rules and
regulation that attempted to gain God’s favor and constantly named me as not
enough for Him.

~I struggle with depression and an anxiety disorder that, at
one time, I used alcohol to medicate myself for. I am currently 8 years sober and going strong;
alcohol is just no match for the fullness of grace!

~I recently started a ministry group with my best friend called Vagabond Ministries. It's a ministry group that travels around the state organizing small group retreats, camps, worship experiences, and outreach events. I also highly support our Porcelain Doll’s ministry in Waco, Texas, that reaches out to women in the strip clubs around the city. My passion is simply for those who have never experienced true, one way, no expectations, love; to know that they are treasured beyond comprehension by a God who makes beautiful things from dust. I seek to create spaces where people can just be and know that whoever that being is, is enough. That's what Jesus was about so that's what I'm about.

Just discovered your writing on blogger by chance. Your blog is inspiring and the organization/design of your site it awesome. I often struggle with how to create my sites and appreciate seeing how other writers present their thoughts. I have family and friends who have struggled with addiction and will recommend your blog to them. Thanks for sharing your insights. I look forward to following your writing.

Who I Am

Writer. Radical. Former addict sabotaged by extravagant, scandalous, excessive grace. I believe in a God who does big things in small people; the God of royal shepherds, fearful warriors, and rebel pastors.